Rivetting Process

A rivet is a permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed a rivet consists of a smooth cylindrical
shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite the head is called the buck-tail. On installation the rivet
is placed in a punched or pre-drilled hole, and the tail is upset, or bucked (i.e. deformed), so that it
expands to about 1.5 times the original shaft diameter, holding the rivet in place. To distinguish between
the two ends of the rivet, the original head is called the factory head and the deformed end is called the
shop head or buck-tail.

Semi-tubular rivets and Bifurcated Rivets

Semi-tubular rivets (also known as tubular rivets) are similar to solid rivets, except they have a partial
hole (opposite the head) at the tip. The purpose of this hole is to reduce the amount of force needed for
application by rolling the tubular portion outward. The force needed to apply a semitubular rivet is
about 1/4 of the amount needed to apply a solid rivet. Tubular rivets can also be used as pivot points (a
joint where movement is preferred) since the swelling of the rivet is only at the tail. Solid rivets expand
radially and generally fill the hole limiting movement.
 Bifurcated Rivets

It is mainly used joining soft materials such as leather, plastics and thin plywood. It does not provide a
strong hold and can be used as pivot joints.

Rivets may also be upset by hand, using a ball-peen hammer. The head is placed in a special hole made
to accommodate it, known as a rivet-set. The hammer is applied to the buck-tail of the rivet, rolling an
edge so that it is flush against the fastened material.